URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE ON CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM IS APRIL 3

2/28/03
Now is the crucial time to send the message loud and clear: We want a full and quickly implemented Conservation Security Program (CSP)! CSP holds great promise for rewarding farmers based on how they are protecting and improving the environment-and therefore helping us move to a more environmentally sound and sustainable agriculture and food system in the United States.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is asking for general input on how to implement the CSP, in the form of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The letter below is a sample of written comments it would be very helpful to make - please add one or two points of your own, expand on a particular point, or add a personal story or comment. NRCS will accept comments by e-mail or regular mail. Comments from both individuals and organizations are important.

Send your written comments by April 3, 2003 to Mark Berkland, Director, Conservation Operations Division, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013-2890. Send your comments by e-mail to farmbillrules@usda.gov

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) has prepared a full set of comments on the Advanced Notice. All groups and individuals are asked to endorse those comments as well. These comments are available here.

To read the Advanced Notice (there are 15 questions asking for input), go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/rules/csp030110.html or call Mark Berkland at NRCS at 202-720-1845 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.

If you have any questions or suggestions, call: Mark Schultz, Policy Program Direction at 612-722-6377

SAMPLE LETTER for WRITTEN COMMENTS on CSP:
(NOTE: The sample letter has sections at the beginning and the end in ALL CAPITALS that are notes to you about the letter. Please review the letter and add the information suggested before sending it in to NRCS.
Thank you!)

RE: Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Conservation Security
Program (CSP) published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2003 (Fed.
Reg. Vol. 68, No 32, pages 7720-7722).

Mark W. Berkland
Director, Conservation Operations Division
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, D.C. 20013-2890

Dear Mr. Berkland:

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SAY IF YOU ARE A FARMER, CONSUMER, ETC. AND MENTION THAT YOU BELONG TO THE LAND STEWARDSHIP PROJECT (IF YOU DO). IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING THE COMMENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER ORGANIZATION, PLEASE INCLUDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT THE GROUP.

The Conservation Security Program has the potential to be a very innovative and effective way to achieve excellent land stewardship and a critical new component of U.S. farm policy. I urge you to ensure that the program fulfills its promise.

Many of us have waited years for a program such as this, which rewards conservation farmers who have been doing what's right all along and encourages them to do more. Conservation farmers provide many benefits to all Americans in the form of clean air, clean water, habitat and soil protection, and more. This program needs to recognize and reward actual conservation benefits produced by farmers on their farms and provide incentives for farmers to address and solve critical resource problems. I agree with NRCS' statement: "In short, CSP should reward the best and motivate the rest."

The Administration should make the Conservation Security Program a major priority. In light of the events that have occurred since the CSP was signed into law by the President last May, I urge you to:

1. Accelerate the rule making process and launch the CSP in time to allow for significant enrollment opportunities in fiscal year 2003. The statutory deadline for writing rules to implement the CSP has already passed.

2. Ensure immediate implementation on a comprehensive, nationwide basis. The CSP is intended for all regions of the country and all types of agriculture.

3. Uphold and defend CSP's status as a conservation entitlement program, as the law requires. Once producers meet the requirements for approval of an effective and meaningful conservation plan, they should be enrolled in a contract-no delays, selection processes, bidding systems, or waiting lists.

4. Require strong conservation and environmental standards, and reward strong environmental performance. Positive environmental outcomes achieved by innovative producers should be a major objective of the CSP, more than funding specific practices with little emphasis on outcomes.

5. Retain the real payment limitations required by the law that was passed by Congress, signed by the President, and supported by the American people. No loopholes or exceptions should be enacted via regulation, manual, or practice. Enforcement of the limitations should be strict. We must not allow CSP to become a handout of hundreds of thousands of dollars to individual producers.

6. Support restoration of full funding. The recently signed omnibus appropriations bill caps the CSP at $3.77 billion through 2013. We urge you to give strong support to the bipartisan Senate leadership commitment to remove this cap in upcoming legislation and restore the program to its full 2002 Farm Bill funding.

I (or OUR ORGANIZATION NAME) would also like to support the detailed comments submitted in response to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on behalf of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. I concur with their answers to your questions and endorse their recommendations.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I look forward to watching the program as it develops.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS (AND ORGANIZATION, IF RELEVANT) HERE